Kids-Friendly Fishing Trip In Chesapeake Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour family fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesCaptain Andy provides gear and kidfocused instructionSmall group capacity ensures personalized attention
Getting your kids hooked on fishing starts with the right captain and the perfect waters – and you'll find both with Captain Andy on the Chesapeake Bay. This 6-hour adventure is built from the ground up for young anglers who are ready to experience the magic of pulling in their first Spanish Mackerel or Sea Trout. With a maximum of 4 guests, Captain Andy keeps things personal and focuses on what matters most: making sure every kid leaves the boat with a huge smile and stories they'll tell for years. The Bay's calm inshore waters are ideal for beginners, offering consistent action without the rough conditions that can make little ones seasick.
Captain Andy knows exactly how to work with kids – patience is his superpower, and teaching is his passion. Your day starts early when you meet at the dock, where he'll get everyone fitted with life jackets and give a quick safety talk that's fun, not scary. The boat is set up with shorter rods perfect for small hands, and he's got tackle boxes full of colorful lures that kids love to pick from. Don't worry about bringing anything – every piece of gear is included, from rods and reels to bait and tackle. The Chesapeake's inshore waters are protected from big swells, so even kids who get nervous on boats usually feel comfortable within the first few minutes. Captain Andy keeps the mood light with fishing stories, jokes, and plenty of high-fives when someone hooks up. He's also great at adjusting the day based on how the kids are feeling – if they need snack breaks or want to try different spots, he's flexible.
This isn't about perfect casting form or complex techniques – it's about getting fish on the line and keeping kids engaged. Captain Andy uses simple bottom fishing setups with circle hooks that are safer for young anglers and increase hookup rates. He'll start with live or cut bait depending on what's working that day, usually squid strips or small pieces of fresh fish that attract multiple species. The rods are light action spinning reels that won't tire out small arms, and he's got them pre-rigged so kids can focus on the fun part – catching fish. He'll teach basic casting if the kids are interested, but most of the time you'll be anchored up over productive spots where fish are holding. The beauty of inshore Chesapeake fishing is that you don't need to go far from shore to find excellent fishing grounds, which means more time with lines in the water and less time traveling.
Spanish Mackerel are the superstars of this trip and for good reason – they're aggressive, fight hard for their size, and absolutely beautiful with their golden spots and sleek bodies. These speed demons typically run 1-3 pounds, perfect for kids to handle, and they hit fast-moving spoons or small jigs with authority. Spring through fall is prime time, and when you find a school, you can catch them one after another. Kids love the way mackerel take off on their first run – it's like hooking a torpedo.
Black Drum are the gentle giants that give kids a real workout without being too overwhelming. These copper-colored fighters can range from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to slot limit fish pushing 30 inches. They're bottom feeders that love crab and clam baits, and when a drum picks up your offering, there's no mistaking it – the rod tip just loads up and starts pumping. Black Drum are year-round residents in the Bay, but spring and fall provide the most consistent action.
Striped Bass, or "Rockfish" as locals call them, are the Bay's most famous residents and a true prize catch for young anglers. These silver-sided beauties can range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for kids up to larger specimens that'll test their skills. Stripers are smart and can be picky, but Captain Andy knows their patterns and will put you on fish that are ready to bite. Spring and fall migrations offer the hottest action, and catching your first keeper striper is a rite of passage for Chesapeake Bay anglers.
Sea Trout, also known as Speckled Trout, are another customer favorite that kids absolutely love catching. These pretty fish have distinctive spots along their sides and typically run 14-20 inches – perfect size for young anglers to handle and photograph. They love grass beds and structure, and they hit soft plastics and live bait with enthusiasm. Sea Trout are most active during warmer months, and they're known for their delicate mouths, which teaches kids the importance of steady pressure instead of horsing fish to the boat.
Redfish are the bronze-backed bulldogs that'll give kids a real fight to remember. These drum family members are built like tanks and known for their powerful runs and stubborn nature once hooked. Reds typically range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches up to upper-slot specimens pushing 27 inches. They're sight-fishing favorites in shallow water, but Captain Andy knows the deeper holes where they school up during cooler weather. Landing a redfish is a badge of honor for any angler, especially kids who are just getting started.
This top-rated kids' fishing trip fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot and families are planning their Bay adventures. Captain Andy's reputation for creating positive fishing memories means parents book return trips year after year, watching their kids grow into confident young anglers. The 6-hour format gives everyone plenty of time to get comfortable, learn some skills, and hopefully boat some fish without wearing out young attention spans. With all gear included and a captain who genuinely loves working with kids, this is hands-down the best way to introduce your family to Chesapeake Bay fishing. Don't wait – reserve your dates now and get ready to see your kids experience the pure joy of their first real fishing adventure. The Bay's
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the Bay's gentle giants - perfect for kids who want to catch something big without the crazy fight. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 5-15 pounds around here and use their powerful jaws to crush oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster bars, pilings, and shallow flats, especially during spring spawning when they school up. They're not flashy fighters, but they're steady pullers that give young anglers time to work the fish properly. The smaller ones make decent eating, though anything over 15 pounds is better released. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or clam on a circle hook and fish right on the bottom near structure. These fish make that distinctive drumming sound, so if you hear it, you're in the right spot. Great confidence-builders for kids learning to fight bigger fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bucket-list fish that get everyone excited - those copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot near the tail are unmistakable. Around the Bay, they typically run 20-30 inches and are absolute tanks when hooked. Look for them in super shallow water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths - sometimes so shallow their backs show. They feed year-round but fall is prime time when they school up. Kids love reds because they fight like freight trains with powerful runs and head shakes. Plus, the smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating. Here's the key: sight-fish them in shallow water and cast soft plastics or topwater plugs ahead of their path. Don't cast right on them or they'll spook. These fish teach kids about stealth and precision casting while delivering the fight of a lifetime.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect starter fish for kids - they're aggressive biters with beautiful spotted sides. These silver fish typically run 12-18 inches in the Bay and love grass flats and channel edges in 3-10 feet of water. Spring through fall are best, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Kids love them because they strike hard and fight just enough to be exciting without wearing out small arms. The meat is delicate and tasty - great for fish tacos. They're also pretty forgiving if you make some noise in the boat. Here's what works: cast soft plastic shrimp or small jigs near grass beds and work them slow. Sea trout have soft mouths, so don't set the hook too hard. These fish are great teachers for proper catch-and-release since they're easily stressed.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, scrappy fish that kids absolutely love catching. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds in the Bay and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find them near the surface around structure - bridge pilings, channel edges, and drop-offs. They school up heavily during spring and fall migrations, making them perfect targets for young anglers. The meat is excellent eating too - mild and flaky when grilled or fried. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds, motor over quietly and cast small spoons or jigs into the commotion. Spanish mackerel feed aggressively in these bait balls, and kids can catch multiple fish quickly. Their sharp teeth mean wire leaders are a must, but their aggressive strikes make them ideal for building fishing confidence.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the Bay's most famous fish - and for good reason. These silver beauties with dark horizontal stripes typically run 18-28 inches here and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They love structure like channel edges, bridge pilings, and grass lines, usually in 8-20 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. Kids get hooked on stripers because they fight hard but fair - long, powerful runs without jumping around. The meat is fantastic too - sweet and flaky. My go-to tip for families: look for diving birds or surface activity, then drift live spot or soft plastics through the school. Stripers are smart, so if they're picky, downsize your tackle. These fish teach kids patience and proper fish-handling since we practice catch and release on the bigger ones.
Chesapeake Bay